Northern/Atlantic Spain
 

Hi, my hubby and i are planning our first trip to Spain in mid-July and we're looking into Northern Spain as we read that the southern area is too hot during that time. We're thinking of the following places to visit: Santiago De Compostela (2 days) , Bilbao (2 days), San Sebastian (4 days) then head to Barcelona (3 days). Is our itinerary too hectic for 11 days in Spain and is renting a car necessary to get from one destination to the next? Is train/bus faster/economical? We'd rather take bus/train as renting a car is quite expensive for auto transmission type plus inclusive car insurance. Thanks!

You can travel by plane too. Santiago to Bilbao and Bilbao Barcelona, for example. Santiago is quite far from the Basque Country, but I do recommend a car since the route is very scenic and there are many nice places on the way. Yes, bus is another good option...not faster, but more economical. In any case, try Vueling (air company) from Bilbao to Barcelona, it´d be the best option.

It is about 9 hours by train from Santiago to Bilbao and about 7 hours by car.

If you fly Santiago to Donostia, Bilbao is only an hour by bus from Donostia. Then you can fly Donostia to Barcelona. That last leg by car is just so,so especially in such a short period of time.

I don´t think there´s a direct flight Santiago-Donostia/San Sebastián. The best option would be Vueling, from Santiago to Bilbao, direct. And the same goes from Bilbao to Barcelona, SAn SEbastián airport is really small and with very few connections, compared to the one in Bilbao.

We just spent 11 days in Barcelona and San Sebastian - you can read our trip report and see our pictures here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-sebastian.cfm

We flew between the two cities and it was very easy.

if you only have 11 days please concentrate on one area.Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria or Basque Country (s an example)
To cover all of the locations and to get to know those areas is impossible in 12 nights stay.
Time for travelling, time for booking in and out of accommodation, time for meals all eats into sight seeing time.Each area has more to offer than just those cities you have listed.

Agree with ribeira...concentrate on the northern area, you´ll love it...

I spent 3+ weeks in northwestern Spain last year. It was beautiful! Here are my pics. If you click on the slideshow version you can see the text that I added.

https://plus.google.com/photos/10755...CPbR6qm-vJjuGA